Varney the Vampire eBook

As for the landlord, he did endeavour to catch a few
hours’ brief repose; but as he dreamed that
the Hungarian nobleman came in the likeness of a great
toad, and sat upon his chest, feeling like the weight
of a mountain, while he, the landlord, tried to scream
and cry for help, but found that he could neither
do one thing nor the other, we may guess that his
repose did not at all invigorate him.

As he himself expressed it, he got up all of a shake,
with a strong impression that he was a very ill-used
individual, indeed, to have had the nightmare in the
day time.

And now we will return to the cottage where the Bannerworth
family were at all events, making themselves quite
as happy as they did at their ancient mansion, in
order to see what is there passing, and how Dr. Chillingworth
made an effort to get up some evidence of something
that the Bannerworth family knew nothing of, therefore
could not very well be expected to render him much
assistance. That he did, however, make what he
considered an important discovery, we shall perceive
in the course of the ensuing chapter, in which it
will be seen that the best hidden things will, by
the merest accident, sometimes come to light, and that,
too, when least expected by any one at all connected
with the result.

CHAPTER LXXXVI.

THE DISCOVERY OF THE POCKET BOOK OF MARMADUKE BANNERWORTH.—­ITS
MYSTERIOUS CONTENTS.

[Illustration]

The little episode had just taken place which we have
recorded between the old admiral and Jack Pringle,
when Henry Bannerworth and Charles Holland stepped
aside to converse.

“Charles,” said Henry, “it has become
absolutely necessary that I should put an end to this
state of dependence in which we all live upon your
uncle. It is too bad to think, that because, through
fighting the battles of his country, he has amassed
some money, we are to eat it up.”

“My dear friend,” said Charles, “does
it not strike you, that it would be a great deal worse
than too bad, if my uncle could not do what he liked
with his own?”

“Yes; but, Charles, that is not the question.”

“I think it is, though I know not what other
question you can make of it.”

“We have all talked it over, my mother, my brother,
and Flora; and my brother and I have determined, if
this state of things should last much longer, to find
out some means of honourable exertion by which we may,
at all events, maintain ourselves without being burdensome
to any.”

“Well, well, we will talk of that another time.”

“Nay, but hear me; we were thinking that if
we went into some branch of the public service, your
uncle would have the pleasure, such we are quite sure
it would be to him, of assisting us greatly by his
name and influence.”

“Well, well, Henry, that’s all very well;
but for a little time do not throw up the old man
and make him unhappy. I believe I am his only
relative in the world, and, as he has often said, he
intended leaving me heir to all he possesses, you
see there is no harm done by you receiving a small
portion of it beforehand.”